4 Pumpkin Recipes That'll Actually Help You Stay Fit During The Holidays

Everything from candles and pie to yogurt and chocolate is pumpkin-flavored come fall. And we're not going to lie: We don't hate it.

Even though a lot of these items don't actually contain any pumpkin, there's a reason you should be obsessed with the real deal. With health benefits galore and the fact it passes every taste test there is, pumpkin has it going on.

Today we're sharing four of our absolute favorite pumpkin-packed recipes that'll keep you fit during the holidays, while still giving you your dose of pumpkin-y goodness.

1. Pumpkin Ice Cream

Yeah, we said ice cream. OK, so maybe ice cream isn't the first thing you're craving during the cold weather season, but just in case you do, we got you.

The other day, we came up with the tastiest, creamiest and healthiest ice cream recipe using pumpkin puree. It's literally the stuff of dreams. Plus, it has 8 grams of protein per serving, so you know it's practically a post-workout meal.

Check out the recipe below.

2. Baked Pumpkin

Baking brings out the natural sugars in veggies, causing them to get crispy, crunchy and oh so tasty. Think sweet potato fries, but pumpkin-y.

You can toss these baked pumpkin bits on salads, in quinoa bowls or just snack on them on their own. These are super easy to put together, too.

All you have to do is preheat your oven to 400 degrees, peel and dice your pumpkin, mix everything with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and pinch of salt and toss them in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, you have yourself some baked pumpkin!

3. Pumpkin Doughnut Holes

Because ice cream isn't enough, you can even make doughnut holes with pumpkin puree! These bad boys are so deee-lish and still amaze for your bod. We even have it in our #TIU31 Day Meal Plan.

Yeah, you can get a fit bod while munching on these doughnut holes. If that isn't a reason to stock up on pumpkin puree, I don't know what is.

We like to eat these as a mid-day snack when the sweet tooth begins to hit us. It's also a great one to bring over to friends and family for parties or brunches. It's so yum, they won't even realize it's healthy.

4. Pumpkin Muffin Man

Since we're on the topic of baked goods, you can also make a ton of different muffins with this stuff. Lately, we've been obsessing over the Pumpkin Chai Muffins. They have a hint of chai and a kick of pumpkin spice.

Because you're replacing a lot of the oil and flour with low-calorie pumpkin puree, you can have a healthy snack packed with nutrients and still satisfy your taste buds!

Munch on these muffins with an unsweetened almond milk latte for the ultimate fall vibes.

Check our recipe in this video.

Clearly, we all love adding a little bit of pumpkin spice to our lives, so the fact that there are so many health benefits really is just an added bonus. Make sure you opt for healthy pumpkin choices that use REAL pumpkin, not syrups.

Give your bod the best fuel, and it'll thank you later with beautiful hair, a strong body, glowing skin and so much more.

Want some more pumpkin and fall-inspired recipes to treat your body right and help reach your fitness goals? Check out our #TIU31 Day Meal Plan that pairs up perfectly with the #TIU31 Day Challenge. It's not too late to sign up, so click here to get your free starter pack.